Man convicted of raping minor, sentenced to 20 years

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 21, 2025

The Court of P. Syngkon, Special Judge (POCSO), West Jaintia Hills, Jowai on Monday, has convicted Heingaid Bareh to 20 years in prison and fined him Rs 30,000 for raping an 11-year-old girl in a border village along Assam–Meghalaya.

According to police, the case dates back to November 6, 2017, when an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by Bareh while she and her friend had gone to collect firewood in the jungle. On raising alarm, the accused fled the scene.

The following day, the victim’s father lodged an FIR at Jowai Police Station, which was registered as Jowai P.S. Case No. 192(11)17 under Section 4 of the POCSO Act, 2012.

The investigation was carried out by WPSI R. M. Suchiang, who later filed the charge-sheet against Bareh.

After the trial, the court found Bareh guilty under Section 3(a) of the POCSO Act, punishable under Section 4 of the Act.